Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) discussed the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on the United States' Baltic allies (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) in a recent House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, warning that they could be "next on the menu" for the Russians under Vladimir Putin.
"There is no region of the world that is probably most closely watching what is happening between Russia and Ukraine than these three little countries that I assume would be next on the menu for Russia if they were able to succeed in Ukraine," Rep. Fine began, before asking the hearing witness, Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Christopher Smith, how Russia's military losses from the war will affect its ability to project power.
Smith answered by suggesting that the Russians have committed 90% of their military capability into the war, and as such are pressuring the Baltic states through "hybrid tactics" such as cyber warfare, undersea infrastructure targeting, and military posturing at the front, prompting Rep. Fine to ask how long it will potentially take Russia to rebuild its military.
While Smith could not provide an exact number, "most estimates are that it would take them a number of years to be able to reconstitute the force that they had in 2022, when this war first began," yet suggested that battlefield technologies would pose their own issues.
The Florida congressman then pivoted to the threat China poses to the Baltic states, which Smith said the three countries view through the lens of China's military alliance with Russia, prompting Fine to follow up by asking how the United States has spoken with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia about the topic.
"We have had extensive conversations with our Baltic allies on this subject," Smith answered. "I would argue that they are advocates for the EU [European Union] and all of its member states taking a similar approach as they evaluate that bloc's relationship with China."
"What can we do to help them?" Fine pressed, suggesting that some EU countries "seem to have their head in the sand." Smith emphasized the United States should be "continuing information sharing and continuing coordination with the like-minded allies in the EU."
